Cicoil Cables Help NASA Ready for the Exploration of Mars
Cicoil High-Flex Cables are allowing NASA to perform critical, extreme environment robotic tests, in preparation for the Mars Exploration Program. Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), scheduled to launch in 2011, is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term robotic exploration of the red planet.
Mars Science Laboratory is a rover that will assess whether Mars' environment can support, or has supported, microbial life. In 
other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability." Essential to the mission is the MSL's Robot Arm that holds and maneuvers the instruments that help scientists get up-close and personal with Martian rocks and soil. Running the arm is a custom-formed Cicoil cable assembly conducting power, signals and video from the instruments to the main electronics within the rover's body. Cicoil's six-inch wide custom flat cable is now in rigorous testing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA.
In addition to fit and flexing issues, the Robot Arm is undergoing extreme environmental testing, including high heat, freezing cold, sand, salt, fog, and water. One of the key tests is to test while being exposed to blowing, red 'Mars Sand,' which is an-extremely fine, abrasive sand found on the surface of Mars. Cicoil's silicone cables are designed to operate in this type of extreme environment, which is critical to the successful testing of the new Mars Science Laboratory.
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Cicoil Quality Recognized by Raytheon
Cicoil was recently recognized for its quality and performance by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. Cicoil received Raytheon's 4-Star Supplier Excellence Award at a ceremony held at Gillette Stadium in Boston, MA. Cicoil achieved the award with its 100% quality score and 100% on-time delivery. Cicoil high-performance cable assemblies are utilized in the production of Raytheon's missile systems, including AIM Sidewinder, RAM Missile, EKV, and Patriot Missile systems.
Cicoil President, Howard Lind (on left in picture) declared, "We are extremely pleased to be honored by Raytheon with this award. Out of Raytheon's 5,000 suppliers, Cicoil was one out only 25 to receive this recognition. It is a testament to care and hard work achieved by all those at Cicoil."
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